FCN volunteer Alex Cotterill recently interviewed podcaster Kat Thorne about engendering a positive mindset and habit changes in farming.
- Briefly summarise your background in the areas of ‘lifestyle habits’ and what is your main mission?
Before becoming a positive habits expert, Kat “The Morning Gamechanger” Thorne started her career in teaching, then went on to work in tech as a Global Commercial Director and CEO. She told FCN volunteer Alex Cotterill at FCN that her mission to encourage people to adopt small positive habit changes stems from her own journey — she rebuilt her life using positive habits after being broken by unhealthy ones. Kat notes that some habits and addictions can be deeply toxic and self-sabotaging, harming both mental and physical wellbeing. She highlights doom-scrolling and binge-eating junk food as examples.
Through her talks, masterclasses and digital programmes, Kat helps people think differently and understand the strong connection between daily habits and overall quality of life. A second goal is to strengthen people’s ability to make meaningful change, both personally and professionally. She also believes that the wellbeing industry is full of “noise” but lacks real action. Drawing on her teaching background, she has crafted a clear message that resonates with many: even a few minutes a day spent on a positive habit can transform your life.
To centre her philosophy, Kat recommends choosing habits that stimulate the mind in a genuinely positive way without leading to unintended negative consequences. Examples include a ten-minute daily run, reading a chapter of a book, or taking a cold shower.
Kat also challenges the common use of the word “crazy”. Many think it means something wild or out of the ordinary, yet she argues that it is actually “crazy” to wake up every day feeling exhausted, stressed and mentally drained. Allowing your phone to dictate your mood, letting negativity dominate your thinking, and living life passively rather than as its creator — these, she says, are truly “crazy”.
- Name your top two suggestions for habit changes that farmers should be encouraged to embrace?
After spending months with farmers and others working in agriculture, Kat described to Alex some of the mental and physical pressures they face, as well as possible solutions.
Modern agriculture is increasingly mentally draining and physically demanding, with rising political, financial and environmental pressures. As a result, farmers face growing levels of stress. One common issue Kat noticed is that many farmers fall asleep on the sofa before going to bed, creating disrupted sleep patterns. Poor sleep then harms productivity, which in turn negatively affects other areas of farm work. Kat recommends establishing a consistent sleep routine wherever possible, as this supports both mental and physical wellbeing and enhances productivity.
Another universal habit Kat highlights is “doom-scrolling”. Although many see it as a form of relaxation, she encourages people to be honest with themselves — does scrolling truly relax you, or is it a way of avoiding sitting quietly with your own thoughts?
Our thoughts are shaping our behaviour and our habits; when we write our thoughts down, we can get back control over them.
- Describe the aims of your Positive Habits Podcast and 21 Day Challenge?
With the growth of podcasting and digital media, Kat uses her Positive Habits Podcast and her 21 Day Challenge to share her messages in a relatable and personal way.
The 21 Day Challenge is the action taking part of every talk Kat delivers where she invites the audience to individually commit to one positive habit change – the “sweet spot”, Kat says, for experiencing the benefits both personally and professionally. After the challenge, she follows up with participants to discuss how their new habits have affected their wellbeing. They always report significant boosts in positivity and life satisfaction as a result of these small, consistent changes.
Kat observes that many people wake up with negative thoughts and fall into an autopilot mode of “musts” and “have-tos”, from going to the gym to getting children ready for school. She argues that these should be reframed as “like-to-do” activities, shifting the mindset from obligation to empowerment.
- What’s the importance, do you think, of you being a pivotal figure in female motivational speaking?
Although Kat is a prominent role model for women in motivational speaking and wellbeing, her primary goal is to be relatable everyone – regardless of age, industry, role or gender. She’s building a community of people who want to improve themselves, personally and professionally with one small positive habit change.
While society often pushes constant productivity and relentless self-improvement, Kat advocates the idea that we must “slow down to speed up”. She encourages people to appreciate what they already have rather than focusing solely on future goals. Aspiring is important, but today’s “hustle culture” has caused many people to forget how to simply be themselves. Journalling, she says, helps people reconnect with gratitude and grounding themselves.
In agriculture, “movement” or exercise is often considered unnecessary because farming is physically demanding. But Kat explains that there are many forms of movement — like a quick kitchen dance session or pacing while listening to an audiobook — that generate a different kind of dopamine. Finding just a few minutes for yourself each day is key to breaking out of negative habits and cultivating ones that support mental and physical health.
Ultimately, Kat wants to be “recognised for helping people think differently — and more importantly, for helping people take action”.
- How significant of a charity do you think FCN is to the agricultural sphere and the importance of communication within farming?
Kat believes FCN and similar charities are “incredibly important”. The more mental health and wellbeing can be demystified and made relatable, the more real impact can be achieved.
She argues that phrases like “mental health” are often used superficially, delivered to large audiences without meaningful explanation or support. This leads to disillusionment and mistrust. In contrast, FCN provides a vital face-to-face link between agricultural workers and supportive communities. This personal connection makes it feel safer for people to open up, share experiences and talk honestly. While opening up can feel vulnerable, Kat stresses that vulnerability builds trust and connection — “it is not a weakness, but a significant strength.”
“Life should be enjoyable. It will always present challenges, but you should persevere and be yourself.”
Kat adds that FCN’s values and services encourage farmers to embrace positivity. The positive habits she teaches form “the roots of the tree” — the foundations of what “makes you, you”.
“Stay focused, stay positive, and see what you can do about it.”
Photographed below: FCN volunteer Alex Cotterill.
